Steve Nicol suggests Liverpool already have two midfielders better than Federico Valverde

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New Liverpool signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai would both start ahead of Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Valverde this summer, as they continue to upgrade their midfield. But speaking on ESPN FC on Friday, Reds legend Steve Nicol said the Uruguayan wouldn’t kick either Mac Allister or Szoboszlai out of the side.

“Listen, Valverde’s not getting let go from Real Madrid because he’s that great. If Real Madrid are prepared to let him go it tells you that they don’t think he’s the future,” Nicol said.

“Liverpool have just signed Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, they already have Fabinho, Henderson’s still around for another year. Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, two young guys, particularly Elliott who will play.

“Does he start before Szoboszlai? No. Does he start before Mac Allister? No. So, if you’re Valverde you’re going to be thinking about that as well. Thiago’s still there. So if I’m Valverde I’m thinking: number one, they’re [Real Madrdi] prepared to let me go. Two, do I start [at Liverpool]?”

Valverde not as good as what Liverpool have

Some will perhaps laugh Nicol’s suggestions off here, but is he wrong? Valverde is a superb player who would no doubt improve Liverpool in one way or another.

But is he necessarily better than either Mac Allister or Szoboszlai? At the very best, he’s on a par with them.

We can’t say just yet how either player will do for Liverpool. As far as new signings go though, the pair look like being stars for the present and the future.

Of the other names that Nicol mentions though, Valverde is a better option than all of them. Hands down.

If the Reds are planning to go for an assault on all four trophies again next season, they’ll need a deep squad. The likes of Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago may no longer be able to offer that quality in reserve. The new guys might need some more reliable and younger help around them.

In that respect, Valverde would be absolutely perfect. A trio of he, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai looks absolutely mouth-watering, although does perhaps lack a little bit of defensive sturdiness.

Either way, this question is unlikely to be troubling Jurgen Klopp in the near future. Valverde is surely not leaving the Bernabeu any time soon.